Our View: School closings are necessary but not easy

Schools are more than buildings. They’re places that create memories, where friendships are formed, skills are developed and knowledge is disseminated. They also hold neighborhoods together.

People in those neighborhoods have come out to hear Rockford School District officials present plans that would close seven to nine schools. It’s part of adjusting the district’s 10-year facilities plan to maximize resources and create 21st century learning environments for all of the district’s students.

School officials have heard from engaged, concerned citizens who recognize the need for the district to make changes, yet would feel a personal loss if the school in their neighborhood closed. Mostly, those citizens seemed to understand the district’s goals and were ready to accept whatever decisions were made.

It’s still relatively early in the process. Last week’s meetings were the first of dozens that are scheduled this month, so there’s plenty of time for people to make their voices heard on the three options that school officials are considering.

The options are driven by educational need. It makes no sense to have buildings that are close to half empty, and it makes no sense for teachers and aides to split time between buildings. “Art on a Cart” is a catchy name, but it’s not the best way to teach. Having art and other specialty teachers in dedicated classrooms makes it easier for them to teach and better for students to learn.

Yet, neighborhood impact is important for school officials as well.

Officials plan to demolish all closed schools. If someone comes along with a great offer to buy one of them — great, the district would save money — but that’s unlikely.

“When we live in a footprint that has 3,300 blighted homes, we don’t want to add to that blight,” Superintendent Ehren Jarrett said. “We ultimately don’t want to damage our own property base. A lower property value means higher rates.

“This is about schools enhancing the value of a neighborhood and not leaving schools behind that would detract from the neighborhoods.”

Rockford has had more schools than it needs for decades. Closing schools seems to be part of the community conversation every few years. The last round of closings was approved in 2011.

Schools that could be closed this round include Walker Elementary, Dennis Early Education Center, King, West View, Kishwaukee, Thompson and Cherry Valley. If the board decides to build two schools, it would close White Swan and Nelson.

If you have a sense of deja vu, it’s because some of those schools have been on a close list for almost 20 years.

A 1995 report suggested that White Swan, Kishwaukee, Cherry Valley and Walker weren’t worth renovating and should be closed.

It’s been a while since the district built schools. Lewis Lemon Elementary School was built in 1993. Barbour Language Academy, Ellis Elementary School and RESA Middle School were built in 1998. They are the most tangible products of a discrimination lawsuit against the district.

Those are west-side schools. The last time a school was built east of the Rock River was in 1978, when Jefferson High School went up.

Building one or two schools are options district officials are considering, but they could decide to spend all of the $250 million available fixing up the schools that will be left. The average age of the school buildings is 58, and many of those buildings have not aged well.

Although the district’s 10-year facilities plan is driven by educational needs, you can’t ignore the financial consequences. Closing seven to nine schools will save the district — and its taxpayers — maintenance and repair costs. Anyone who owns an older home knows how expensive that can get. The district is in sound financial shape today, but officials need to be vigilant so that it remains financially strong in the years to come.

The School Board is expected to vote on one of the three options in June. Until then, you have a chance to listen and make suggestions at one of the public hearings. To learn more about the district’s plans or to read feedback from the community input sessions, visit rps205.com/betterschools.

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